"The culture is very different and something you've really got to try to adapt to," he told News Breakfast of making the move.

"Growing up it was a certain way. It was a culture, it was mum and dad, it was a comfortable fitting.

"Then you take yourself out of that and you're away from that for so long and a long way away and you've just got to try to find ways to make it work."

The three-time Olympian was named NAIDOC person of the year and this week was appointed an ambassador for the upcoming Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast — although his NBA commitments prevent him from playing.

Mills has spent the NBA off-season back in Australia and went to the Torres Strait Islands for a week earlier this month.

He said it was a chance to relax and reflect while doing some fishing and brushing up on his traditional dance skills.

"It allowed me to keep continuing to learn my culture and lessons that I was taught when I was brought up," he said.

"It's important for me to keep touching back with that every now and again, when I can, when I have the time."

Inspiring a new generation of kids

Mills is now touring Australia to launch a series of kids books called Game Day, which follow the adventures of a young character named Patty who is trying his hand at sport.

He said it was an idea he naturally gravitated to as it helped him connect with and inspire kids back home.